The current situation of foreign residents living in Nishinomiya was posted on display at Frente Nishinomiya.
(Information provided by Kobaru Sanjuro)
Here it is↓
Frente Nishinomiya is home to the Nishinomiya International Association (NIA) (in a nutshell, an organization that helps foreign and Japanese residents of Nishinomiya get along and connect with each other). This display is from them.
Now: 9,225 people (93 countries)
10 years ago: 6,098 people (80 countries)
That’s a 1.5x increase! (+3,127 people)
The top 3 (Korea, China, and Vietnam) make up about 64% of the total!
Come to think of it, you really do see a lot more foreign residents working at convenience stores and such these days, don’t you?
Nishinomiya Foreign Residents by Country Ranking (September 1, 2025)
| Rank | Country/Region | Population | 10 Years Ago | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korea/North Korea | 2,994 | 3,577 | ▼583 | 32% share |
| 2 | China | 1,546 | 1,103 | +443 | About 1.4x |
| 3 | Vietnam | 1,390 | 104 | +1,286 | About 13x |
| 4 | Nepal | 502 | 81 | +421 | About 6.2x |
| 5 | Philippines | 419 | 158 | +261 | About 2.7x |
| 6 | Indonesia | 389 | 26 | +363 | About 15x |
| 7 | Myanmar | 380 | 6 | +374 | About 63x (small starting number) |
| 8 | United States | 250 | 232 | +18 | Nearly flat |
| 9 | Taiwan | 174 | 90 | +84 | About 1.9x |
| 10 | Brazil | 123 | 141 | ▼18 | Slight decrease |
| – | Other 82 countries | 1,058 | 580 | +478 |
Nishinomiya TOP 5 by Growth
- Vietnam: +1,286 (about 13x)
- China: +443 (about 1.4x)
- Nepal: +421 (about 6.2x)
- Myanmar: +374 (about 63x*)
- Indonesia: +363 (about 15x)
*The multiplier appears large because the original number was small
Comparison with National Rankings
| National Rank | Country | National Population | Rank in Nishinomiya |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 933,680 | 2nd |
| 2 | Korea | 530,355 | 1st |
| 3 | Vietnam | 298,681 | 3rd |
| 4 | Philippines | 285,293 | 5th |
| 5 | Brazil | 198,273 | 10th |
| 7 | United States | 111,779 | 8th |
| 8 | Nepal | 87,148 | 4th |
| 9 | Indonesia | 66,867 | 6th |
| 16 | Myanmar | 25,178 | 7th |
Brazilian residents are relatively few compared to the national average.
A Little Analysis
- The top spot goes to “Korea/North Korea.” Nationally, China ranks first, but Nishinomiya reflects the historical ties and close-knit communities of the Hanshin area.
- Vietnam, Nepal, and Myanmar have seen a big surge. These countries have been growing nationwide over the past decade, with many coming to Japan for study abroad, vocational schools, and jobs in nursing care and manufacturing. Nishinomiya has plenty of schools and medical/welfare facilities, plus easy access to Umeda and Sannomiya — making it a great fit.
We looked into why the numbers have grown!
In a nutshell, the main reason is the “Specified Skilled Worker Program”
There are many factors, but let us focus on the Specified Skilled Worker visa (Type 1 and Type 2). The Technical Intern Training Program you often hear about is a system for foreigners to “learn” in Japan. The Specified Skilled Worker Program is a system for them to “work.”
The Specified Skilled Worker Program in a Nutshell
Established in 2019 through amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. It allows workers to be employed in 14 labor-shortage sectors (nursing care, manufacturing, food service, etc.).
- Specified Skilled Worker Type 1: Up to 5 years / Must pass an exam / Bringing family to Japan is generally NOT allowed
- Specified Skilled Worker Type 2: For highly skilled professionals / No limit on length of stay / Bringing family to Japan IS allowed
Where You Can See This in Nishinomiya
- The notable growth from Vietnam, Nepal, and Myanmar is largely because more workers are being accepted in food service, food manufacturing, and nursing care.
- Easy access to Osaka and Sannomiya + lots of schools and medical facilities = a great place to live
The Good and the Challenging
The Good
- Securing immediate workforce in nursing care, manufacturing, food service, etc.
- Job-switching is allowed, helping to reduce mismatches
The Challenging
- Onboarding costs for Japanese language education and daily life support fall on businesses and local governments
- If community infrastructure like housing and education can’t keep up, things can get a bit bumpy
*The details of the program have been simplified for brevity.
- 中華料理28.3%(32票)
- フランス料理7.1%(8票)
- イタリア料理23%(26票)
- 韓国料理6.2%(7票)
- インド・ネパール料理8.8%(10票)
- ベトナム料理4.4%(5票)
- ミャンマー料理0.9%(1票)
- トルコ料理1.8%(2票)
- スペイン料理6.2%(7票)
- タイ料理8%(9票)
- メキシコ料理3.5%(4票)
- ガンビア料理0.9%(1票)
- ブラジル料理0.9%(1票)
Final Thoughts
A Gambian restaurant from Africa even opened in Nishinomiya recently! And AEON Nishinomiya Mondo store has Vietnamese food, Indian food, AND Mister Donut — in a way, it’s like Nishinomiya’s own little Expo. And it’s cheaper than the actual Expo, so it might just become the next big thing!
*Thank you so much for the tip, Kobaru Sanjuro!
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